Application of biomolecular studies of the human intestinal microbiome to the development of new nutritional approaches and functional foods for human metabolic health

Project id.

68

Reference sector

BIOTECHNOLOGY

IP Protection Level

N/A

Description of the innovation project

Characterization of the transcriptomic and metabolomic profile of the gut microbiome of healthy individuals as compared to those of individuals with metabolic disorders. Identification and chemical characterization of microbiome-derived bioactive metabolites that, by virtue of their chemical structures and biological activity, may be used to counteract metabolic disorders. Medium scale culturing of bacterial species found to be differently associated with healthy individuals vs. those with metabolic disorders in order to produce new potential probiotics for human use and high amounts of bioactive metabolites to be employed as nutraceuticals.

State of dev.

Concept

Industrial application

Nutraceuticals, for the potential prevention of metabolic disorders but also of diseases linked to aging, with molecules derived from the diet and the gut microbiome, and with functional foods, to be used as supplements, including pre-and probiotics, also through the development of new nutritional approaches.

Market segment

Supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals and probiotics

Advantage factor

The comparative study of intestinal microbiota of healthy volunteers and patients affected by metabolic disorders, and/or undergoing specific nutritional interventions, will allow to identify new mechanisms for the development of molecules and microorganisms to be used as supplements and probiotics, respectively, as well as new nutritional approaches for the prevention of obesity, diabetes and related diseases

Commercial challenge

The development of new nutritional and nutraceutical interventions from the study of the human intestinal microbiota would be an advantageous innovation compared to current strategies